I see the light!!!

Hi guys, I had my seminar last night and was enlightened! Kind of like the time right after I got out of the joint, my brother Elwood and I were trying to put the band back together the save the... oh wait, maybe I watch too many movies. Anyway, (This is an edited version of my latest OH blog entry) I went to the seminar last night and had a big surprise. The entire time I was considering the surgery I was RNY all the way. As many do, I did a ton of online research, speaking to people here on OH prior to the seminar and was certain the RNY was for me. Well, my mind has been changed and I plan on going for the LAP-Band instead. There were a group of things really swayed me: 1. I feel that since I am younger and only ( "only" ) about 325 lbs or so and have no known co-morbidities, it may be all that I need to have to help me get the weight off. 2. I am a big meal eater, I don't eat constantly throughout the day, I just eat very large portions and don't stop till all my food is gone (and sometimes my wife's food too!). 3. I feel that if this doesn't work in the long term, I can always go for a revision. 4. The idea that the band is adjustable -"Hey doc, can you open me up a bit, I have a huge BBQ to go to this weekend", , just kidding but it is nice to know that if I am not losing the weight it can be tightened. 5. Based on the information presented after 5 years or so the difference in weight loss between the band and the RNY is not all that much, and I feel (and hope) I will be able to stick to a diet regimen and be able to do better than average. 6. It is reversible 7. Shorter recovery time and hospital stay 8. No cutting of the inners 9. And finally the decreased Mortality and complication rates (Morbidity Band: 0.05% RNY: 0.5-2%) I just thought I would throw this out there to see if anyone had any kind of opinions you would like to share. Am I nuts ? Am I on track? I assume it is unlikely that the Dr would push one type of WLS over another to a group right? I imagine he would make more money from the bypass, could he be in bed with the lap-band people? Thank you all and Best Regards, Chris

im going for the band myself for all the reasons you just posted.  i never really thought about RNY.  just not for me.

Chris, First of all, I'm not advocating either of the procedures. I'm also no expert. Take all this with a grain of salt. There are good and bad with both. I actually had my mind set on Lap Band as well. I was only 350, not too bad compared to the average person who undergoes WLS. I liked the fact that the band is less expensive, less invasive, and "somewhat" reversible, but RNY is also reversible. I don't know of a lot of doctors that are jumping in on the reversing wagon though. I think it would be hard to get a doc to reverse any procedure, and why would you want it reversed anyway. RNY freaked me out on so many levels. The thought of the doctor re-arranging my insides just made me cringe. After talking with the doctor who did the surgery, I decided to go ahead with the RNY. He told me it takes longer to lose the weight with the band. Long-term studies show that RNYers kept the weight off statistically. There are some trade offs though. I, an RNYer, have to take vitimans, calcium, and B12 everyday. Its not as bad as it looks or sounds. Takes about 30 seconds out of my day, I can spare it. The amount of food patients can consume is different as well. Typically, RNYers end up with a larger pouch, then do the banders. Also I've heard that doctors don't tend to want to loosen the band, even if the patient requests it.  I'm sure you'll get other posts with more significant information.

Chris, For all of those reasons, it sounds like that’ll work for you. I was 47 years old, and at a BMI of 50.1. RNY worked for me.  Coming up on 4 years this summer- Below goal weight for over 2 ½ years, and not a struggle at all. There’s a guy in my support group who had similar weight to loose And lost it with his band in approximately the same amount of time. He also has maintained a normal range BMI for over 2 years without difficulty. Lap-Bands, RNY, and DS, and VSG all work. All of them can be circumvented by some. If you use which ever “tool” you choose, To change and adjust your Old habits and lifestyle, Then you’re on the track to a healthy, thinner you. Best Wishes- Dx

Chris, I have see sawed back and forth so much, I'd take any of them if they could do it tomorrow....hee hee.  Someone in here described the mortality rate as taking 4 decks of cards and mixing in 4 jokers and seeing if you can draw out those jokers, I drew out two of them in 4 tries, I'm scared ....yeah.  LOL  I learned to stay out of certain rooms like the 'memorial room' not pleasant dreams here, RIP.  Doctors and Nurses are trying the lapbands on each other at a ever rapid rate and having great success, the guys in here are mostly RNY and having great success so who the hell knows, it's a pot shot.  Me...well the only thing I'm real worried about is losing my towel rack in the morning, of course the backside was nekked but it was handy in the front.  Whoo whoo.  Another thing I'm worried about is having that damn Foley, it aint natural at all!  My brothers are lining up to volunteer to put it in and to pull it out!  Compassionate family. I'm going to listen to my doctor, pray a lot, and make my decision before  getting on that gurney and asking for a valium and a prozac.  LOL

Hi again, Mortality is definitely one of the biggest concerns for me. I look forward to sharing our journey together :) I hope when I meet my quack he/she is better than yours! Best wishes, Chris

Thak you to you all, I did find a few sites listed on another OH forum that a bander had listed a handfull of links regarding the lap-band: (Thank you Chastity M.)

http://dawn.thot.net/wls/compare.html

 

 

http://www.lapband.com/lapband/comparison.do

http://www.gastricbandinstitute.com/advantages.htm

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2003-07-14-weight-side-u sat_x.htm

http://cgi1.usatoday.com/mchat/20030715005/tscript.htm

http://www.obesitycontrolcenter.com/lapband_bypass.html

http://www.coastalobesity.com/Weight_Loss_Surgery/Surgery_Op tions.asp I figured I'd share them in case anyone else is interested.

Chris, Glad your seminar went well. I really don't think one WLS is overall better than another, its dependant on the individual. My theory, for what its worth is that if your unsuccessful with one, you will probably be unsuccessful with another. As a lap-band patient, I truely beleive is was the right thing for me, just as RNY was the right choice for DX. I wish you luck and hope everythings goes smoothly for you. Let me know if you have any band questions.

Wow Neal, You are an example of what I can be. I would be happy to be down around the 220's but 18o's! Good for you man! You may be my role model for the next year or so, seriously! I'm so glad I found this forum, this can be another tool just like the band will be. Thanks Neal and thank you all once agin! Chris

Hey Chris, go here and read this guy's story:  http://www.duodenalswitch.com/patients/joe/joe.html I don't know about you but I'm pretty convinced (NOW) that I want the Lap Belt!!!  LOL